General/All News

Dec 8, 2015 | Popular Statewide Festival Coming to an End
The Kansas Sampler Foundation announced today that the long-time
Kansas Sampler Festival will come to an end after being hosted in 2016 and 2017
in Winfield.

Foundation
director Marci Penner said, "The festival has been a tremendous event for
the whole state and has helped people see that Kansas has a lot to offer. It's
exciting to now think of the festival as part of a progression in helping share
what there is to see and do. We have some ideas for what is next and will start
that conversation in January."

In 1990,
the late Mil Penner and daughter Marci Penner held a book-signing party on the
family farm near Inman. About thirty places included in the new Kansas
Weekend Guide came to promote under one tent. When a thousand people
attended this event on a cold November day, it was clear that the public wanted
to know more about Kansas day trips. The event was given a name and the Kansas
Sampler Festival was born. It was held for seven more years on the Penner Farm.

The
festival went on the road in 1998 as host communities were chosen for a
two-year stint through a rigorous application process. Pratt was the first to
organize the traveling event followed by Ottawa, Independence, Newton, Garden
City, Concordia, Leavenworth, Liberal, and Wamego. Winfield will have the honor
of hosting the final two years. "We could not have continued the festival
without the amazing commitment of local host organizers and volunteers. They
have taken such good care of the festival and given it a special flair in each
location." Penner said.

WenDee
LaPlant, assistant director, came to work at the Kansas Sampler Foundation
after serving as local festival director in Garden City. She said, "I love
how the festival has been great for the smallest towns and large ones, as well.
It's brought towns together from every part of the state. It has helped make
Kansas explorers out of the public. It's always such a happy, positive weekend.
It's sad to see it come to an end but exciting to think of new
possibilities."

Winfield's
local director Sarah Werner when told of the news Monday morning said, "We
feel very fortunate to be the site for the final two Kansas Sampler
Festivals. This event has really been a springboard for many small Kansas
communities to promote to a larger audience. I have no doubt that
whatever the Kansas Sampler Foundation comes up with next will be just as
important for rural Kansas."

Representatives from more than 150 communities will meet in
Winfield's Island Park on May 7-8 2016 to share what there is to see, do, hear,
taste, buy, and learn in Kansas. For more information go to www.kansassamplerfestival.com.